ELECTIONS IN INDIA

India is a democracy and has a parliamentary system of government. Our country has a federal set up – Parliament at the center and legislative assemblies at the state level. (The third level of Panchayat Raj has been added – 1992)

The Parliament and legislative assemblies are law making bodies. The Indian Constitution provides for election on the basis of territorial constituency. Under this system the country is divided into constituencies. A single candidate is elected from each constituency.

The Constitution has given every adult Indian a right to vote i.e. we have universal adult suffrage. The candidate with the highest number of votes is elected. The age of voting is lowered to 18 years. In a democracy, people decide who shall be their representative by the exercise of franchise. The exercise of franchise by citizens is known as elections. A person who has the right to vote is called a voter. Collectively all the voters form the electorate.

The election to the office of the President is indirect. The president is elected by the members of our electorate college which consists of:

1.    Elected member of both houses of parliament

2.    Elected members of the legislative assemblies of all states.

The President is elected in accordance with the system of proportional representation of a single transferable vote. He holds office for a term of five years.

Election to the office of Vice President takes place in a similar manner except that here the electoral college consists of only elected members of both houses of parliament.

For conducting elections in a fair manner, the Indian Constitution has made provisions for an independent election machinery. The commission is headed by the Chief Election Commissioner. He/She has officers to assist him/her.

The essence of Parliamentary Democracy is Party Government. The election commissioner has the right to recognize political parties for allotment of symbols. It recognizes parties either as All India Parties or State Parties. A party which is recognized in four of more states enjoys the status of a National Party and that which is recognized by less is a State Party.

To be recognized as a party:

-          A Party should secure at least 6% of the total votes cast in each state

-          A party will not be recognized if it contains a name of a living person

A person convicted for crime will not be allowed to contest elections.

Election malpractices:

-          Appeals to religion, caste, etc.

-          Terrorism

-          Booth capturing

-          Selection of unsuitable candidates

-          Use of money / financial power